System and method for concurrently utilizing multiple system identifiers

ABSTRACT

System and method for providing access to multiple wireless service providers (WSPs) on a shared network infrastructure. The system includes a plurality of access points (APs) coupled to a network which may be distributed in airports, mass-transit stations, businesses, etc. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. Each AP may include a plurality of virtual APs (VAPs), each corresponding to a WSP. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user stores identification information indicating a WSP of a plurality of possible WSPs, and which may include an access level of the user. Each AP “listens for” or detects identification information associated with numerous WSPs. When the AP receives the identification information from the PCD, it determines the VAP/WSP for the PCD using the identification information. Network access is then provided to the PCD through the determined WSP at the determined access level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/848,897 titled “System and Method for Concurrently Utilizing MultipleSystem Identifiers,” filed May 19, 2004, whose inventors are James W.Thompson, Kathleen E. McClelland and Brett B. Stewart, which is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/767,374 titled “DistributedNetwork Communication System Which Allows Multiple Wireless ServiceProviders to Share a Common Network Infrastructure,” filed on Jan. 22,2001, whose inventors are James W. Thompson, Kathleen E. McClelland andBrett B. Stewart, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/551,291, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,176 titled “A DistributedNetwork Communication System which Enables Multiple Network Providers toUse a Common Distributed Network Infrastructure” and filed on Apr. 18,2000, whose inventors are Brett B. Stewart, James W. Thompson andKathleen E. McClelland.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wireless network communications, andmore specifically to a system and method enabling a networkinfrastructure to support multiple wireless service providers and/orcustomers of multiple wireless service providers. The invention alsorelates to a system and method enabling different access levels within awired or wireless network system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of wired and wireless infrastructures are being developedto service users of computing devices, such as portable computingdevices (PCDs). Currently, numerous wireless service providers areattempting to install wireless network infrastructures in variouslocations, such as airports, hotels, office buildings, shopping malls,etc. for use by various users, such as mobile users (MUs) of PCDs.

However, when two or more providers install a wireless networkinfrastructure in a single location, such as an airport, the providersbegin to oversubscribe the RF domain. In other words, theelectromagnetic spectrum usable by these wireless networks is limited,and if two or more wireless networks are installed in the same location,this may result in inadequate RF bandwidth for use by each of thesenetworks.

IEEE 802.11 defines the IEEE standard for wireless Ethernet. IEEE 802.11is designed to support multiple overlapping wireless local area networks(LANs) in a given coverage area. Each wireless local area network willtypically include one or more access points (APs) which communicate in awireless fashion with a corresponding computing device of a user, whichtypically includes a wireless Ethernet transceiver. IEEE 802.11currently uses a System ID (SID) to “select” which LAN to use and theaccess point with which to associate.

Currently, only 3 non-overlapping RF channels are available fordifferent wireless service providers. Once these channels are used, nofurther bandwidth, or limited bandwidth, may be available for otherproviders.

In the U.S. and most of Europe, only 3 non-overlapping channels areavailable using 802.11 Direct Spread (802.11 DS) (Direct Sequence SpreadSpectrum) radios. In other geographies, such as France and Japan, onlyone channel is available using 802.11 DS. When using Frequency Hoppingradios, only one “channel” is defined. The use of different “spreadingcodes” in conjunction with FH radios only obfuscates theco-interference. Once the available channels are used, perhaps one byeach provider of a wireless infrastructure, no further bandwidth isavailable for other providers without the potential for harmfulco-interference and the resultant reduction in available bandwidth.

Thus, due to the problems associated with multiple wirelessinfrastructures installed in a common area, it is desirable to provide asingle wireless infrastructure which may be used by two or more wirelessservice providers (WSPs). This would allow a plurality of WSPs toutilize a common set of access points (APs) to provide service to apotentially overlapping set of customers or subscribers. It may also bedesirable to provide a wireless infrastructure which can selectivelyprovide different access levels to users of the system.

In the installation of a common-use wireless system, there are commonlytwo approaches to providing service to each WSP's subscribers, whereineach approach uses a common authentication/accounting system. A commonauthentication/accounting system involves “tying together” theauthentication/accounting systems of each provider, thereby forming a“roaming consortium”. The first approach is called RADIUS (RemoteAuthentication Dial In User Service), and the second approach is calledTACACS+. Typically these consortiums use the RADIUS as a commonauthentication and accounting protocol. RADIUS is a protocol defined bythe IETF RADIUS Working Group for carrying information between networkaccess devices and security/accounting servers, and is documented inRFCs 2138 and 2139. TACACS+, a similar protocol developed by CiscoSystems, is also used by some providers, although it suffers fromsecurity issues in common implementations.

The main advantage of tying the authentication/accounting systemstogether is the relative ease of doing so. Indeed, RADIUS was designedto support a tiered hierarchy of services providers. However, thisseeming ease of implementation hides other issues which remain unsolvedvia this approach. Most of these center around the fact that RADIUS andTACACS+ were designed to support connectivity via a dial-up network(using either modems or ISDN). Indeed, the very acronym “RADIUS”references this dial-up heritage and focus. Since Wireless LANs are not“dial-up” by their very nature, several assumptions which are “built-in”to the RADIUS and TACACS+ protocols have the potential to limit the typeand number of services deployed over wireless LANs.

RADIUS has its share of security issues as well. The RADIUS protocol isopen to a possible dictionary attack on “shared secret” passwords.Discovery of these can be used to spoof “Access-Accept” packets, withthe result of “free service” being granted to the attacker. While thissecurity hole is only possible if the attacker is able to “sniff”communications between the RADIUS server and client, wireless networksmake this type of unauthorized access even more likely.

However, the most glaring issue associated with using a commonauthentication/accounting system is that any approach that ties theauthentication and accounting systems of a set of WSPs together doesnothing to solve problems related to “ESSIDs”, described below.

As noted above, the IEEE 802.11 specification is a wireless LAN standarddeveloped by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and ElectronicEngineering) committee in order to specify an “over the air” interfacebetween a wireless client and a base station or Access Point, as well asamong wireless clients. First conceived in 1990, the standard hasevolved from various Draft versions (Draft 1 through 6), with approvalof the final draft on Jun. 26, 1997.

The 802.11 MAC layer, supported by an underlying PHY layer, is concernedprimarily with rules for accessing the wireless medium. Two networkarchitectures are defined: the Infrastructure Network and the Ad HocNetwork. The Infrastructure Network is a network architecture forproviding communication between wireless clients and wired networkresources. The transmission of data from the wireless to the wiredmedium is via an Access Point (AP). The coverage area is defined by anAP and its associated wireless clients, and together all the devicesform a Basic Service Set (BSS).

The IEEE 802.11 protocol also defines an ESSID (Extended Service Set ID)that is essentially a network name. The ESSID is used to select anassociated wireless LAN infrastructure. Two or more BSSs configured withthe same ESSID attached to a common distribution system (for instance,an Ethernet LAN) form an ESS (Extended Service Set.)

With multiple access points, clients (PCDs) are free to move seamlesslybetween access points, as long as the ESSID matches. This feature isbuilt into the 802.11 specification. When a client (PCD) starts losingthe signal with its associated access point, it begins to search thearea for a closer access point. Once a new access point is found, theclient initiates an association with the new access point and adisassociation from the old one.

In public-access networks the ESSID has been commonly used to choose theWSP infrastructure with which to associate. However, this creates aproblem: Each AP can only support one ESS and one associated ESSID.Thus, in order for multiple service providers to share a common space, Nsets of APs are needed, where N is the number of service providers. Thisleads to co-interference, over-subscription of the RF environment andresultant lack of available bandwidth, as described above.

The commonly suggested solution to this problem is that all WSPs whowish to allow roaming agree on a common ESSID for their wirelessnetworks. While initially this may appear to solve the problem, it alsorequires not only a common authentication system, but also a commonnetwork infrastructure which connects to the Internet and otherservices. The issues with a common authentication system have beenoutlined above. There are also numerous issues associated with using acommon ESSID to support multiple WSPs in a common networkinfrastructure.

First, a common network infrastructure with a shared ESSID would resultin insufficient network security. Since all devices would necessarily beassociated with the same network infrastructure, all manner of attacks,both active (such as Denial of Service) and passive (e.g. snooping orsniffing) would be possible.

Second, to rely on coordination of ESSIDs among a potentially largenumber of WSPs seems questionable at best. As new providers enter themarket, each must choose to configure its APs such that roaming by otherproviders' subscribers is permitted. In fact, the case can be made thatevery WSP who chooses to participate in any roaming network would needto configure ALL of its APs to support this as yet undefined ESSID.

Even if these steps are taken, once every WSP has chosen to use the sameESSID, a new problem occurs. Unless roaming agreements are global, andevery provider agrees to allow each other provider to roam on its APs,the user of any given service cannot know that his/her WSP(s) provideservice in any given area. The user of such a service is left to “guess”at service availability.

Further, global coordination around a single ESSID (combined with acommon authentication system) does not solve the problem. An increasingnumber of enterprises (large and small) are installing 802.11-compliantnetwork infrastructures, and equipping the employees of these companieswith wireless Network Interface Cards (NICs). Each of these enterpriseswill likely define its own ESSID, and possibly an associated WEP (WiredEquivalent Privacy) key. Further still, inexpensive 802.11-compliant APsare now available for the home market (witness the Apple Airport), andthese wireless networks will likely have their own ESSIDs.

Thus, even if all WSPs select and co-ordinate on a single ESSID,enterprises (including airlines) and other users of 802.11-compliantNICs will need to reconfigure their equipment in order to use anycommon-ESSID network provided by these WSPs. This would likely be tooinconvenient for most users.

Finally, given a common infrastructure, only one broadcast domain ispossible. For an IP-based network (such as must be supplied to provideconnectivity to the Internet), this implies that only one IP addressspace (and by extension, one Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)server) is possible for each location. This implies that the WSP whoowns the infrastructure (and supplies the connectivity) in each locationhas an advantage in that the network connectivity for that WSP'scustomers will experience better connectivity. Also implied is that anyresource located on the network (such as file or video servers, voicegateways, and otherwise secured facilities of other airport tenants) isavailable to all users of the wireless infrastructure, and thus noservice differentiation is possible.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method whichenables a common wireless network infrastructure (and especially an IEEE802.11 wireless network infrastructure) to be used by two or morewireless service providers (WSPs). This would allow a plurality ofservice providers to utilize a common set of access points to provideservice to a potentially overlapping set of customers. This would alsoprovide subscribers or users with the ability to more fully utilize theexisting network infrastructure. It would further be desirable toprovide a distributed wireless network system which can selectivelyprovide different access levels to users of the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a system and methodfor enabling multiple wireless service providers (WSPs) to use orprovide services on a common wireless network infrastructure. The systemand method can thus provide access and/or roaming features on adistributed wireless network system.

The network system includes a plurality of access points (APs) coupledto a network. The network access points include wireless access points,and may also include wired access points. Access points for the networkmay be widely distributed in various facilities, such as airports,mass-transit stations, hotels, and various businesses, such as businessoffices, restaurants, and stores. The network may couple to a wide areanetwork, such as the Internet. A plurality of wireless service providers(WSPs) or network providers may provide network services, such asInternet access, over the network infrastructure.

In one embodiment, a user, also referred to as a subscriber, may accessthe network system through a portable computing device (PCD) using, forexample, a wireless network interface card (NIC). When in sufficientlyclose range to an access point, the PCD may wirelessly communicate withthe AP in the network system. In one embodiment, the APs are arranged atknown geographic locations and may provide geographic locationinformation regarding the geographic location of the AP or the mobileuser.

Each PCD may store identification information which may uniquelyindicate at least one wireless service provider of a plurality ofpossible wireless service providers. The identification information thusmay designate the wireless service provider (or providers) to which theuser of the PCD is a subscriber. The identification information may takevarious forms, such as a System ID (SID), MAC ED, or otheridentification which may be used to identify the wireless serviceprovider to which the user has subscribed. As used herein, the SID maycomprise an SSID (Service Set ID) or an ESSID (Extended Service Set ID).When the PCD becomes close to an access point, the PCD may provide theidentification information to the access point.

In one embodiment, each of the access points is operable to “listen for”or detect identification information, e.g., System IDs, associated withnumerous different providers, contained in “probes” broadcast by PCDs.Alternatively, each of the access points may be operable to broadcastrequests for identification information, e.g., broadcast recognizedSystem IDs to the PCDs, wherein the PCDs may respond to this broadcastby providing the identification information. Such broadcasts by APs areknown as “beacons”.

When an access point receives the identification information from a PCDof a user, the access point may determine the appropriate wirelessservice provider for the portable computing device using theidentification information. Thus, the network system is able torecognize and process identification information which identifies any ofthe plurality of possible wireless service providers. In one embodiment,the APs answer all queries from all PCDs, even if the identificationinformation from the PCD does not match the information available tothat particular AP, e.g., even if an unknown SID is received.

In one embodiment, the network system may include a memory medium whichstores a list of identification information that maps to a correspondinglist of the plurality of possible wireless service providers. The memorymedium may be comprised in one or more of, or all of, the access points,or may be comprised in one or more other devices connected to thenetwork, such as a computer system. In this embodiment, determining thewireless service provider for the portable computing device includesaccessing the memory medium and using the received identificationinformation to determine the wireless service provider. For example, theaccess point or other device may use the received System ID to indexinto a table to determine the appropriate WSP.

The memory medium may also store associated access information. For eachof the wireless service providers, the access information may includeaccess methods for providing user data to the respective wirelessservice provider, such as a destination IP address of the WSP. Theappropriate access method may be used based on the identificationinformation and/or the determined WSP. Thus, the identificationinformation may be used to determine the appropriate WSP as well as toautomatically route network packets or data between that PCD and theappropriate provider.

The access information stored in the memory medium may also include anaccess level which indicates the user's access rights or privilegelevel. Thus, the local network or the WSP may provide various localresources which are available to all users regardless of access level,and users with a higher access level may additionally be entitled toInternet access. In other environments, all users may receive Internetaccess, and users with a lower access level may not be entitled to viewor utilize certain or all local network resources on the network. Thus,depending on the access level, the user may be provided solely withexternal Internet access, or only local network access, or may beprovided with no network services. The access level may also possiblydepend on the known geographic location of the AP or the user. Forexample, the access level for each user may vary depending on the knowngeographic location of the AP to which the user is currently associated,or may depend on the approximate geographic location of the user, e.g.,may depend on whether the user is in a certain store or in a securearea.

In one embodiment, one or more of the wireless service provider ID andthe access information may be provided by the PCD of the user. Thus, anaccess point or other device on the network may not be required toperform a look-up to determine this information, but rather thisinformation may be provided by the PCD.

When the portable computing device communicates with the access point,network access may be provided to the portable computing device throughthe determined WSP. For example, the access point may provide thecommunicated data to a destination based on or specified by thedetermined WSP, e.g., may provide or route the data to the determinedwireless service provider's site, e.g., to equipment provided by theWSP. The WSP may then provide Internet access and/or other networkservices. The WSP will also typically charge a fee for this service. Theaccess point preferably provides the data to the destination in a securemanner to prevent the data from being unintentionally provided to thirdparties, such as other providers.

Thus the wireless network system is useable by subscribers of each ofthe plurality of possible wireless service providers, thereby enablingsubscribers to “roam” on various networks, including networks maintainedby other providers. For example, the plurality of access points may bemaintained by a first WSP, and a subscriber of a second WSP may berecognized and allowed use of the network. Alternatively, the pluralityof access points may be maintained by an independent third party, andsubscribers of any of various WSPs may be recognized and allowed use ofthe network. Wireless service providers may charge subscribers foraccess regardless of who operates or maintains the network. In addition,the network system may selectively provide users different access levelsto network resources depending on the access or privilege level of theuser. This allows WSPs to offer different levels of access to customers,possibly based on different service fee levels. This also allowsvisitors or non-members of a network system to be allowed certainnetwork services, such as Internet access, without compromising otherprivate network resources.

In one embodiment, the system includes at least one AP with softwarewhich is executable to provide access point functionality for each of aplurality of WSPs. The software may implement a “super access point”which maintains associations between the plurality of WSPs and acorresponding plurality of SIDs, such as MAC IDs, ESSIDs, etc. The APmay be capable of broadcasting or recognizing any of the plurality ofSIDS, behaving appropriately for different SIDS that are received fromPCDs of users, and providing network services to each user through thatuser's corresponding WSP. Thus an AP may be operable to appear as anyone of a plurality of different WSP APs, meaning that a single AP may“pretend to be” or behave as an access point dedicated to a particularWSP for each of a plurality of different WSPs.

In one embodiment, the system provides a plurality of virtual APs, wherea virtual AP may comprise access point functionality implemented insoftware that appears as a physical AP to a PCD. The plurality ofvirtual APs or “software” APs may be implemented on one or more physicalAPs, e.g., on a common set of physical APs. For example, each physicalAP may implement a plurality of virtual APs. Each instance of a virtualAP executes a complete 802.11 protocol stack, and may beindistinguishable from a hardware AP to any wireless network client(s).Each virtual AP or “software” AP may include its own ESSID and may beuniquely associated with a corresponding WSP. Thus, each WSP that uses avirtual AP solution would enjoy the illusion that there was a completewireless infrastructure available for its exclusive use. In oneembodiment, the System ID of each virtual AP may be a variant of the SIDof the physical AP hosting the virtual APs.

Each of the APs may connect to a “wired” LAN. In one embodiment, the“wired” LAN supports a VLAN (Virtual LAN) protocol. In order topartition the network, the network system may maintain a binding betweenthe ESSID and IEEE 802.1(q) VLAN tags or their equivalent. This allows acommon wired backbone (using VLAN-capable Ethernet switches) to supply asecured “virtual LAN” to each WSP. In order to provide servicedifferentiation and quality of service (QoS) to each user of thenetwork, the network system may further enable 802.1(p) in these tags.This allows the proprietor of the network system to provide servicelevel agreements to its customers, including both other WSPs and, forexample, airport tenants. The network architecture described herein canscale to support hundreds of these network customers, and thousands ofsimultaneous users in each location.

In order to support users who arrive at the wireless network location(e.g., an airport) with an ESSID that does not match the ESSID of anyWSP, the network system also allows for a “default” mapping. Users whoarrive with a different ESSID, e.g., the ESSID used at their home orenterprise, would have their network data passed to a default orselected provider. This provider may present the user with theopportunity to use the network on a one-time basis, or may present theuser with the opportunity to register with the provider, perhaps byrequesting credit card information from the user.

The wireless network system described herein enjoys several advantagesover the approach of tying the authentication system of each subscriberto a roaming “clearing house”. The wireless network system describedherein leverages the 802.11 protocol, and is agnostic as to which PHYtechnology is used. The present system can support all of the following802.11 technologies:

-   -   802.11 FH (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum@1-2 Mbps in 2.4        Ghz)    -   802.11 DS (Direct Sequencing Spread Spectrum@1-2 Mbps in 2.4        Ghz)    -   802.11(b) (High-rate (11 Mbps) DSSS in 2.4 Ghz)    -   802.11(a) (High-rate (50 Mbps) FHSS in 5.7 Ghz)    -   Bluetooth (FHSS@<1 Mbps in 2.4 Ghz) (via similar virtualization        of the SDP)

In one embodiment, the physical AP may comprise two radios, one DirectSpread Coding radio, and one Frequency Hopping radio, thus providingmultiple PHY layers on one physical AP. Using the present system, oneset of APs (for a given PHY technology) can maximize the coverage in agiven space with a minimum of co-interference. A group of providers canshare this “footprint”, enabling maximum coverage for the superset ofthe subscribers to each service. Each wireless service provider canleverage their expertise in attracting members and providing value-addedservices or content.

In addition, each location authority, (e.g., an airport authority) candeal with one “master concession”, who is responsible for building andmaintaining the RF infrastructure, manages the RF environment, andsub-leases this infrastructure to the other providers. In fact, thelocation authority can act as the “master concession”, should it sodesire.

The present system is also transparent to authentication technology usedby any provider. Due to the issues raised above, the wireless subscribertechnology described herein is not based on RADIUS or TACACS+. Instead,the present subscriber technology may use a “single sign-on” technologybased on X.509 certificates. Similar technology is used to secure nearlyevery WWW transaction that requires protection.

The present system is also transparent to the network protocols in-use.While other provider's approaches assume that IPv4 is the only protocolin-use, the present system allows other protocols (IPX, IPv6, NetBIOS,ARP, etc) to be used in the network as they normally would, with thesingular exception that these flows take place within the virtual LANprovided by the APs and the network backbone.

Thus the wireless network system described herein enables a commoninfrastructure to be used by a plurality of wireless service providers,and provides a number of advantages over the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following detailed description and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a wireless networksystem;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of one embodiment of thewireless network system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the wireless networksystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of allowing accessto a wireless network system using a multiple subscriber model;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a data structure which stores wirelessservice provider and access information;

FIG. 6 illustrates selectively allowing access to a wireless networksystem using various access levels;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of initial communication between a PCD and anaccess point;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of communications between a PCD and an accesspoint; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the process of packets arriving from a wiredmedium to the AP which are destined for a PCD.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Incorporation by Reference

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/551,291 titled “A DistributedNetwork Communication System which Enables Multiple Network Providers toUse a Common Distributed Network Infrastructure” and filed on Apr. 18,2000, whose inventors are Brett B. Stewart, James W. Thompson andKathleen E. McClelland is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,061 titled “Method and Apparatus forGeographic-Based Communications Service”, whose inventor is Brett B.Stewart, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as thoughfully and completely set forth herein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,678 titled “System for Hybrid Wired and WirelessGeographic-Based Communications Service”, whose inventor is Brett B.Stewart, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as thoughfully and completely set forth herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,817 titled “Geographic BasedCommunications Service” and filed on Nov. 3, 1999, whose inventors areBrett B. Stewart and James Thompson, is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,818 titled “A NetworkCommunications Service with an Improved Subscriber Model Using DigitalCertificates” and filed on Nov. 3, 1999, whose inventors are Brett B.Stewart and James Thompson, is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/551,309 titled “System and Methodfor Managing User Demographic Information Using Digital Certificates”and filed on Apr. 18, 2000, whose inventors are Brett B. Stewart andJames Thompson, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety asthough fully and completely set forth herein.

FIG. 1—Network Communication System

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a distributed network communicationsystem 100. The network system 100 may include one or more access points120, preferably a plurality of access points 120. At least a subset ofthe access points 120 are wireless access points (APs) 120 whichcommunicate with a portable computing device (PCD) 110 in a wirelessfashion. Each wireless access point (AP) 120 may have a wirelessconnection or transceiver (e.g., an antenna) and may operate accordingto various wireless standards, such as wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11),Bluetooth, etc. One or more of the access points 120 may also be wiredaccess points which communicate with a portable computing device 110 ina wired fashion.

Each AP 120 may be coupled to a network 130. The network 130 maycomprise a wired network, a wireless network or a combination of wiredand wireless networks. For example, the network 130 may be a standard“wired” Ethernet network which connects each of the wireless (and wired)access points 120 together. The network 130 may also be a wirelessnetwork based on IEEE 802.11. The network 130 may form part of theInternet 170, or may couple to other networks, e.g., other local or widearea networks, such as the Internet 170.

The network 130 may also include or be coupled to other types ofcommunications networks, (e.g., networks other than those comprised inthe Internet) such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN),whereby a user using PCD 110 may send and receive information from/tothe PSTN or other communication network through a wireless serviceprovider. The network 130 may also include, or be coupled to, anotherwide area network 130, such as a proprietary WAN. The network 130 thusmay be, or be coupled to, any of various wide area networks (WANs) orlocal area networks (WANs), including the Internet 170.

The access points (APs) 120 may be widely distributed in variousfacilities, such as airports, mass-transit stations, hotels, shoppingmalls, restaurants and other businesses, such as business offices, lawfirm offices, retail stores, etc. For example, where the access points120 are distributed in an airport, one or more access points 120 may bedistributed throughout various terminals in the airport, in an airlineclub, and in coffee shops, restaurants or rental car counters at therespective airport. The access points 120 may thus be primarily designedto service mobile users, wherein it may not be known ahead of time whichmobile users will be accessing the network from which locations. Thusthe network system 100 is preferably a distributed network system, withaccess points placed in locations to service mobile users. This differsfrom a conventional fixed LAN, where it is generally pre-configured asto which pre-determined users will be using which nodes in the fixed LANon a day-to-day basis, and the relative access levels that thesepre-determined users have is also pre-configured.

Each access point 120 may comprise information used to identify orselect a wireless service provider (also called a network provider) fora particular user, as well as related access information to enable thewireless service provider to provide access. Each access point 120 maycomprise information used to enable network access through a wirelessservice provider of a plurality of possible wireless service providers.Thus each access point 120 may support a plurality of different wirelessservice providers. When in sufficiently close range to an access point120, or when the PCD 110 is directly coupled to an access point 120 in awired fashion, the PCD 110 may access the network utilizing a particularwireless service provider, as discussed further below.

A user operating a portable computing device (PCD) 110 may communicatewith one of the access points 120 to gain access to network services,such as Internet access. The portable computing device (PCD) 110 mayhave a wireless communication device, e.g., a wireless Ethernet card,Bluetooth wireless interface, etc., for communicating with a wirelessaccess point 120. The portable computing device (PCD) 110 may insteadhave a wired communication device, e.g., an Ethernet card, forcommunicating with a wired access point 125.

The portable computing device 110 may be any of various types ofdevices, including a computer system, such as a portable computer, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, acommunications device or telephony device, or other wired or wirelessdevice. The PCD may include various wireless or wired communicationdevices, such as a wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11) card, Bluetoothlogic, paging logic, RE communication logic (such as cellular phonelogic), a wired Ethernet card, a modem, a DSL device, an ISDN device, anATM device, a parallel or serial port bus interface, or other type ofcommunication device.

The PCD 110 preferably includes a memory medium which storesidentification information indicating a wireless service provider towhich the user has subscribed. The indicated wireless service providermay be one of a plurality of possible wireless service providers thatprovide Internet access or other network services in a network systemsuch as that shown in FIG. 1. The identification information may be aSystem ID (an 802.11 System ID), a MAC ID of a wireless Ethernet devicecomprised in the PCD 110, the name of the wireless service provider, orother type of information that uniquely identifies one (or more)wireless service providers. Where the wireless network is IEEE 802.11wireless Ethernet, the identification information or System ID may be aSSID (Service Set ID), an ESSID (Extended Service Set ID) or possibly aBSSID (Basic Service Set ID). Where the wireless network is Bluetooth,the identification information may be an IP address. The identificationinformation may be contained in a digital certificate, which may bestored in a web browser or other location of the personal computingdevice 110.

Where the access point 120 is a wireless access point 120, the wirelesscommunication may be accomplished in a number of ways. In oneembodiment, PCD 110 and wireless AP 120 are both equipped with anappropriate transmitter and receiver compatible in power and frequencyrange (e.g., 2.4 GHz) to establish a wireless communication link.Wireless communication may also be accomplished through cellular,digital, or infrared communication technologies, among others. Toprovide user identification and/or ensure security, the PCD 110 may useany of various security mechanisms, such as WEP (Wired EquivalentPrivacy).

Where the access point 120 is a wired access point 120, the wiredconnection may be accomplished through a variety of different ports,connectors, and transmission mediums. For example, the PCD 110 may beconnected through an Ethernet, VSB, serial, or parallel transmissioncables, among others. The PCD 110 may also include various communicationdevices for connecting to the AP 120, such as wired Ethernet cards,modems, DSL adapters, ATM adapters, IDSN devices, or other communicationdevices. For example, a hotel may have Ethernet connections in therestaurants, shops, and guest rooms. An airline club, e.g., an airportAdmiral's Club, may also have both wireless and wired connections formobile users. A user may connect to a wired access point 120 through theuse of a laptop computer (PCD 110), an Ethernet network card, and anetwork cable. This connection may have the same impact as a connectionmade to a wireless AP 120 as discussed above. In other words, a userusing a wired PCD 110 is able to “roam” on various networkinfrastructures in the same manner as a user using a wireless PCD 110.

One or more wireless service providers may each have an associatednetwork device 160 coupled to the network 130. For example, FIG. 1illustrates network devices 160 associated with three different wirelessservice providers. The network devices 160 may take any of variousforms, such as a computer system, router, bridge, etc. It is noted thatwireless service providers may provide network services at a networklocation without being required to locate any equipment or bandwidth atthe network location. For example, a wireless service provider maycombine VLANs and IP tunneling to avoid having to locate any equipmentor bandwidth at a particular network location.

A user operating a portable computing device 110 will typically havepreviously subscribed with one (or more) Wireless Service Providers(WSPs), also called network providers. Examples of wireless serviceproviders include Wayport, MobileStar and Softnet, among others. Asdiscussed further below, when the PCD 110 of a user communicates with anAP 120, the respective wireless service provider to which the user issubscribed is determined. If no previous affiliation with a wirelessservice provider is detected, a default wireless service provider may beselected. After the wireless service provider is determined or selected,network access or services may be provided through that wireless serviceprovider. For example, data or packets from the respective PCD 110 maybe routed to a destination designated by the respective wireless serviceprovider, such as the respective provider's network device 160. Thiseffectively allows a plurality of wireless service providers to eachoffer access on a common network infrastructure, i.e., on common accesspoints. Thus a single access point can support multiple differentwireless service providers, i.e., can support subscribers of multipledifferent wireless service providers. This also allows subscribers ofvarious wireless service providers to “roam” on other networks, such asnetworks installed and/or maintained by other providers, or networksmaintained by independent third parties.

The network system 100 may also include a management information base(MIB) 150. The MIB 150 may be a mechanism, such as a memory, which mayallow the persistent storage and management of information needed bynetwork 130 to operate. For example, in one embodiment of the invention,the MIB 150 may store a data structure, such as a table comprising alist of identification information and a corresponding list of theplurality of possible wireless service providers. The data structure mayalso store access information, which may comprise associated methods forproviding data to the respective plurality of possible wireless serviceproviders. The access information may further comprise access level orprivilege level information. Thus, the data structure may comprise atable having a plurality of tuples, with each tuple having theidentification information, e.g., a System ID, the correspondingwireless service provider, and access information containing a method ofaccess to the provider, possibly including a destination IP address orother methodology for accessing the provider's site. In an alternateembodiment, as noted above, the data structures which store thisinformation may be comprised in each of the access points 120, or may beprovided in various other locations. Each tuple may further includewired transport information, such as a VLAN tag, Generalized RoutingEncapsulation (GRE), or other wired transport information, indicating achannel to be used on the wired network to which the AP 120 is coupled.

As discussed further below, when a portable communication device 110 ofa user begins communication with an access point 120, the portablecommunication device 110 may transmit wireless service provider IDinformation, and the wireless service provider for the portablecomputing device 110 may be determined using this data structure. Thememory medium containing the data structure may be accessed, andreceived wireless service provider identification information from therespective portable computing device 110 may be used to index into thedata structure or table to determine the wireless service provider. Theappropriate access method may also be accessed and used for enabling thewireless service provider to provide network services, e.g., the accessmethod may be used for providing the data from the respective portablecomputing device 110 to the determined wireless service provider. Forexample, wired transport information may also be used to determine howto transfer packets on the wired network. Access level information mayalso be retrieved and used to determine a user's access to local networkresources or Internet access.

The MIB 150 may store other information, such as a directory of all theelements (e.g., APs, PCDs, etc) in the network, the topology of thenetwork, characteristics of individual network elements, characteristicsof connection links, performance and trend statistics, and anyinformation which is of interest in the operation of the network 130.For example, the MIB may store the precise longitude, latitude, altitudeand other geographic information pinpointing the location of each accesspoint.

One or more service providers 140 may also be coupled to the network 130or other networks to which the network 130 is coupled, such as theInternet 170. As used herein, the term “service provider” is intended toinclude various types of service and information providers which may beconnected to the network 130. The service provider 140 may take any ofvarious forms and may provide any of various services or information.Each service provider 140 may include one or more computers or computersystems configured to provide goods, information, and/or services asappropriate for the service provider. The one or more service providers140 may couple to the network in a wired or wireless fashion. Theservice providers 140 may include “network access” providers whichtypically charge fees for network access. The service providers 140 mayalso include other types of providers which may provide a service at thelocation where the APs are located. For example, in an airport, exampleservice providers may include an airline server or airline personnel(which may operate as clients of APs) which provides flight informationand/or helps direct passengers to flights. In a hotel, example serviceproviders may include housekeeping, engineering, and other typical hotelservices which may utilize particular WSPs for their respective networkservices. For example, maid carts in a hotel may be configured with PCDsto answer requests from users that are staying in the hotel. Thus, theplurality of WSPs may include fee-based network access providers forserving customers, as well as operational service providers for servingthe needs of employees.

The network communication system 100 may be geographic-based. In otherwords, the network communication system 100 may provide informationand/or services to the user based at least partly on the knowngeographic location of the user, e.g., as indicated by the access points120 or as indicated by geographic information (e.g., GPS information)provided from the PCD 110. In one embodiment, the APs 120 are arrangedat known geographic locations and may provide geographic locationinformation regarding the geographic location of the user or the PCD110. In another embodiment, the PCD 110 may provide geographic locationinformation of the PCD 110 through the AP 120 to the network 130. Forexample, the PCD 110 may include GPS (Global Positioning System)equipment to enable the PCD 110 to provide its geographic locationthrough the AP 120 to the network 130, such as to a service provider 140coupled to the network 130.

In one embodiment, the network communication system 100 may provideinformation and/or services to the user based on both the knowngeographic location of the user and an access level of the user. Forexample, a bank official may have an access level which allows access tosecurity codes regarding electronic or physical access to funds. Theaccess level may only be operational when the employee (or theemployee's PCD) is in a secure area of the bank, thereby preventingunauthorized or unintended access to sensitive information, such as dueto coercion or theft of the user's PCD.

Memory Medium and Carrier Medium

One or more of the systems described above, such as PCD 110, accesspoints 120, MIB 150, and wireless service providers 160 may include amemory medium on which computer programs or data according to thepresent invention may be stored. For example, each of the access points120 and/or the MIB 150 may store a data structure as described abovecomprising information regarding identification information,corresponding wireless service providers 160 and access information suchas associated data routing methods. Each of the access points 120 and/orthe MIB 150 may further store a software program for accessing thesedata structures and using the information therein to properly provide orroute data between users (subscribers) and their corresponding wirelessservice providers, or to selectively provide or route data depending onthe access information.

One or more of the access points 120 and/or the MIB 150 may includesoftware that enables the AP 120 to accommodate or service subscribersof a plurality of different WSPs. Thus an AP 120 may be operable toappear as any one of a plurality of different WSP APs, meaning that asingle AP may “pretend to be” or behave as an access point dedicated toa particular WSP for each of a plurality of different WSPs. In contrast,prior art APs are only able to provide access point services for asingle WSP. In other words, according to one embodiment of theinvention, an AP 120 may execute one or more software programs thatallow it to act as an AP for each of a plurality of WSPs. Thus, each AP120 may be capable of broadcasting or recognizing any of a plurality ofSIDS, and maintaining associations between the SIDS and the subscribersof the respective WSPs. The physical AP may further behave appropriatelyfor different SIDS that are received from PCDs of users, providingnetwork services to each user through that user's corresponding WSP.

In one embodiment, at least one of the APs 120 may include software thatenables the single physical AP 120 to implement a plurality of virtualAPs, where a virtual AP may comprise access point functionalityimplemented in software that appears as a physical AP to a PCD. Theplurality of virtual APs or “software” APs may be implemented on one ormore physical APs, e.g., on a common set of physical APs. Each instanceof a virtual AP executes a complete 802.11 protocol stack, and isindistinguishable from a hardware AP to any wireless network client(s).Each virtual AP or “software” AP may include its own ESSID (e.g., anESSID as specified in IEEE 802.11) and may be uniquely associated with acorresponding WSP. Thus, each WSP that uses a virtual AP solution wouldenjoy the illusion that there was a complete wireless infrastructureavailable for its exclusive use.

In another embodiment, at least one of the APs 120 may include softwarethat enables the single physical AP 120 to behave appropriately for eachof a plurality of WSPs. For example, instead of implementing a pluralityof virtual APs, i.e., instead of storing and executing a plurality ofvirtual AP software program instantiations, a single softwareinstantiation may enable this operation. In the embodiment above, eachvirtual AP may entail one or more software programs, and eachinstantiation of a virtual AP may utilize a separate instantiation orreplication of these one or more software programs. In this “superaccess point” embodiment, a single instantiation of one or more softwareprograms may enable the physical AP 120 to behave appropriately for eachof a plurality of WSPs. These one or more software programs may executeto cause the AP 120 to: broadcast and recognize a plurality of differentSIDs corresponding to each of a plurality of different WSPs, maintainassociations between SIDs and WSPs, maintain SID and VLAN tag mappings,and perform other operations necessary to enable the single physical AP120 to behave appropriately for each of a plurality of WSPs.

In the virtual AP embodiment described above, as noted, for one or moreof the access points 120, each physical access point 120 may include aplurality of virtual APs implemented in software that are comprised onthe single physical access point 120. As described above, each of thesevirtual APs may be used for servicing a respective WSP, i.e., forproviding network access services to a respective WSP. According to thecurrent IEEE 802.11 standard, each physical AP has a BSSID (BasisService Set ID). The BSSID is typically the MAC ID of the networkinterface device comprised in the physical AP 120.

However, when multiple virtual APs are comprised on or implemented on asingle physical AP, it may not be possible to use the same MAC ID of thephysical AP as the BSSID of each of the virtual APs on that physical AP.In other words, using this approach, each of the virtual APs may notreceive a unique BSSID, as they each would have the MAC ID of thephysical AP. If it is desired or required for each of the virtual APs tohave a unique BSSID, then various alternative methods may be used. Inone embodiment of the invention, the MAC ID of the single physical AP issimply used for all virtual APs, i.e., is used as the BSSID for allvirtual APs on that physical AP. Thus, in this embodiment, each of thevirtual APs on a single physical AP has the same BSSID. It is currentlynot believed that this will impact the operation of each of the virtualAlps in any way. In an alternate embodiment, where it is desired thateach of the virtual APs has a different respective BSSID, then the“local to network” MAC ID address bits which are defined by IEEE areadjusted for each of the respective virtual APs to produce a unique MACID for each of the virtual APs.

In yet another alternate embodiment, the physical AP is initiallyassigned a pool of MAC ID addresses and each of the virtual APs isassigned a unique MAC ID from this pool, thus providing each virtual APwith a unique MAC ID address, i.e., a unique BSSID. One drawback to thisimplementation is the need for a larger number of MAC ID addresses thanthe methods previously described.

In one embodiment, a single physical AP may support both InfrastructureNetwork mode (BSS) and Ad Hoc Network mode (Independent BSS, or IBSS).In Ad Hoc mode, each AP is just another peer on the network. This may beaccomplished by configuring one or more virtual APs for BSS, asdescribed above, and one or more other virtual APs (also on the samephysical AP) for IBSS, or Ad Hoc Network mode.

The term “memory medium” is intended to include various types of memoryor storage, including an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, or floppydisks 104, a random access memory or computer system memory such asDRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory etc., or anon-volatile memory such as a magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, oroptical storage. The memory medium may comprise other types of memory aswell, or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may belocated in a first computer in which the programs are executed, or maybe located in a second different computer which connects to the firstcomputer over a network. In the latter instance, the second computerprovides the program instructions to the first computer for execution.The memory medium may also be a distributed memory medium, e.g., forsecurity reasons, where a portion of the data is stored on one memorymedium and the remaining portion of the data may be stored on adifferent memory medium. Also, the memory medium may be one of thenetworks to which the current network is coupled, e.g., a SAN (StorageArea Network).

Also, each of the systems described above may take various forms,including a personal computer system, mainframe computer system,workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digitalassistant (PDA), television system or other device. In general, the term“computer system” can be broadly defined to encompass any device havinga processor which executes instructions from a memory medium.

The memory medium in one or more of the above systems thus may store asoftware program or data for performing or enabling roaming or selectivenetwork resource access within a network system 100. A CPU or processingunit in one or more of the above systems executing code and data from amemory medium comprises a means for executing the software programaccording to the methods or flowcharts described below.

Various embodiments further include receiving or storing instructionsand/or data implemented in accordance with the present description upona carrier medium. Suitable carrier media include memory media asdescribed above, as well as signals such as electrical, electromagnetic,or other forms of analog or digital signals, conveyed via acommunication medium such as networks and/or a wireless link.

FIGS. 2 and 3: Block Diagrams of the System of FIG. 1

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating a portion of thewireless network system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodimenthaving three access points 120 (A-C) which couple to respective VLANs,labeled VLAN1, VLAN2 and VLAN3. VLAN1, VLAN2 and VLAN3 in turn couple torespective routers 160, labeled router A, router B and router C, whichare provided by wireless service providers A, B and C respectively.These routers in turn couple to the Internet 170. As shown, one or moreaccess controllers, e.g., computer systems configured to determine orcontrol network service access, may be provided for each of the wirelessservice providers. The access controllers operate to verify user orsubscriber access to the respective provider's network. FIG. 2illustrates access controller A, access controller B and accesscontroller C. As shown, access controllers A and B are coupled to routerA and router B respectively. However, the access controller may belocated outside of the local network 130, e.g., may be comprised on anyof various locations on the Internet, as shown with respect to accesscontroller C.

In this embodiment, the data structure may store an identificationinformation/VLAN tag mapping, e.g., an SID/VLAN tag mapping, whichoperates to map the user to the appropriate VLAN of the user's wirelessservice provider. Thus, on the wired network to which the access points120 are connected, the use of a different VLAN for each wireless serviceprovider operates to separate data traffic on the wired network for eachof the wireless service providers. It should be noted that one or moreof the access points 120 may include software which implements aplurality of virtual access points, described above, each of which maycorrespond to a particular wireless service provider or VLAN.

As shown, each of VLAN1, VLAN2 and VLAN3 may be supported by one or moreEthernet switches which support tagged VLANs (IEEE 802.1q). In addition,each switch may also support IEEE 802.1p, which provides for variousquality of service (QoS) metrics. This enables the switches to enforcecertain predefined quality of service metrics for any given port orvirtual port contained within the network. As shown in FIG. 3, it isalso noted that a router may be present on more than one VLAN. As shown,FIG. 3 includes an 802.1q switch which couples to three access pointsreferred to as access point 1 (AP1), access point 2 (AP2), and accesspoint 3 (AP3). As shown, a router labeled Router C may be coupled to twoor more VLANs as shown.

Using VLANs, each access point 120 preferably has the ability totransmit/receive on one or more VLAN LPs to one or more wireless serviceproviders. This permits, but does not require, that each wirelessservice provider use its own network numbering plan. At most, eachwireless service provider may have an access controller and a router ateach coverage location. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the access controlleris not required to be physically located at the coverage location, butrather may be located anywhere.

FIG. 4—Multiple WSP Network Access

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of allowing roamingaccess and/or selective access to a wireless network system. In oneembodiment, as described above, the PCD 110 includes wireless serviceprovider identification information (called “identification information”herein), preferably comprising a System ID, stored in the memory of thePCD 110. The identification information may include information whichidentifies one (or more) wireless service providers to which the user ofPCD 110 is a subscriber. As noted above, the System ID may be an IEEE802.11 SSID or ESSID. The wireless service identification informationmay also be an EP address in a Bluetooth wireless network.

The network access method of the present invention may be operable toreceive and use the identification information to facilitate roaming,e.g., to allow a particular wireless service of a plurality of possiblewireless services to be selected and used for a user operating on thenetwork. As discussed further below, the identification information mayalso store access level information which may be used to indicate anetwork access or privilege level. This stored access level informationmay be used to selectively allow user access to different parts of thenetwork.

As shown, in step 402 the user connects to the network (e.g., to anaccess point of the network). For example, the user may be walking in anairport with a portable computing device and may connect in a wirelessfashion to an access point located at the airport. In another scenario,the user may enter a hotel room and connect in a wireless fashion to anEthernet port in his/her room which is connected to the network. Inanother scenario, the user may enter an office of a business, such as alaw firm or corporation, and may connect in a wireless fashion to anaccess point located in that office. Thus, the user may connect to thenetwork or an access point of the network in any of various locations ina wireless fashion.

In step 404 the personal computing device (PCD) 110 of the user maytransmit wireless service provider (WSP) identification information (IDinformation) to an access point (AP) 120 of the network. Theidentification information may take any of various forms. In oneembodiment, the identification information comprises a System ID (SID),e.g., an ESSID, according to IEEE 802.11. As discussed above, IEEE802.11 (wireless Ethernet) is designed to support multiple overlappingwireless LANs in a given coverage area. IEEE 802.11 uses the System ID(SID), or ESSID, to “select” which LAN to use, and thus the access pointwith which to associate. In this embodiment each System ID may beuniquely associated with a respective wireless service provider, andthus the user may configure the System ID on his/her PCD 110 to uniquelyidentify the wireless service provider which the user has selected or towhich the user has subscribed. The identification information may alsoor instead be a MAC (media access controller) ID which is comprised on awireless Ethernet card of the personal computing device used by theuser. The MAC ID may perform a similar purpose in selecting the wirelessservice provider. As noted above, the identification information maytake various forms. For example, the identification information maysimply comprise the name of the respective provider and the appropriateaccess information, which may be contained in a digital certificate. Invarious embodiments, the identification information may comprise othertypes of wireless service provider identification as desired.

In prior art systems, access points are only able to “listen for” oneSystem ID which corresponds to one wireless service provider. Accordingto one embodiment of the invention, each access point 120 may beoperable to “listen for” or “detect” a plurality of different sets ofidentification information, e.g., a plurality of different System IDs,which may correspond to a plurality of different possible wirelessservice providers, or which may correspond to unknown wireless serviceproviders. Thus, each AP may be set up to “listen” for all types ofidentification information, e.g., listen for all SIDs, and to answer allqueries from PCDs 110, even if the identification information or SID isnot recognized by the particular AP 120. Alternatively, each of theaccess points may be operable to broadcast requests for identificationinformation. For example, each of the access points may periodicallybroadcast requests for SIDs. Alternatively, each of the access pointsmay periodically broadcast recognized System IDs to the PCDs, i.e.,broadcast the sets of SIDs the access point supports, wherein the PCDsmay respond to this broadcast by providing the identificationinformation.

In step 406 the access point 120 to which the user has connected maytransmit known geographic location information to the network (e.g., toa wireless service provider on the network). This known geographiclocation information may originate from the AP 120 or from the PCD 110of the user. As discussed further below, this known geographic locationinformation may be used in various ways. For example, the geographiclocation information may be used in selecting among two or more possiblewireless service providers to which the user has previously subscribed,or may be used in selecting the default provider.

The geographic location information may also be used in determining thenetwork services or access privileges of the user, or used indetermining charging aspects of the use. For example, this knowngeographic location information may be used to determine whether a thirdparty pays for the network access of the user. As one example, anemployer of the user (employee) may have previously directed that theemployer will pay for network access of the employee if the employee islocated in an airport or hotel, but not if the employee is located, forexample, in a bar. The known geographic location may also be used todetermine a charge rate, based on various incentive or sponsorshipprograms of which the user is a member. For example, the user mayreceive a discount if he/she uses network access from certain locations,such as a certain business, a certain airport club, etc. The knowngeographic location information may also be used to selectively providedifferent access or privilege levels based on the geographic location,e.g., a user may have greater privilege/access levels at a firstgeographic location than from a second different geographic location.This known geographic location information may further be used toprovide services to the user which are dependent upon the geographiclocation of the user. For more information on the use of geographiclocation information for providing geographic based services, please seeU.S. Pat. No. 5,835,061, referenced above.

In step 412 the wireless service provider may examine the receivedidentification information, e.g., the System ID, or other identificationinformation and determine whether the received identificationinformation is known or recognized. In step 412 the method may alsodetermine if other id information is valid. If the identificationinformation is determined to not be known, e.g., the System ID isunknown, then in step 422 the method may perform processing to accountfor the unknown identification information. Step 422 may also involveperforming processing for an unknown or incorrect digital certificate orother unknown information.

In step 422, where the identification information is determined to notbe known or recognized, the method may select a default wireless serviceprovider for the user for network access. The default wireless serviceprovider may be the provider who maintains the wireless network systembeing used, or may be a randomly selected provider. In step 423 the usermay be required to register with this provider to gain network access.This provider may then arrange for ad hoc billing of the user, such asby credit card. For example, the provider may present a web page on theuser's PCD 110 requesting the user to enter credit card information foraccess to the network. Operation then proceeds to step 432.

Also, if the identification information is determined to not be known,the access or privilege level of the user may be set to the lowestpossible level. This, for example, may allow the user to only haveaccess to certain limited local resources, but no external access, e.g.,to the Internet. Thus, for example, where the APs 120 are located in anairport, the user having a low access level, e.g., the user whoseidentification information is not known, may be granted access tocertain local resources, such as coffee shops, bookstores, andadvertising on the local LAN at the airport, but may not be providedwith Internet access. Access to local resources may be allowed sincethis does not require the use of external facilities and hence does notconsume off-property bandwidth, and thus is relatively inexpensive toprovide. Alternatively, if the identification information of a user isdetermined to not be known, the system may provide some form of externalaccess, which may be billed separately by an external Internet provider,without the user being able to view or use any local network resources.

If known identification information is determined to be received in step412, then in step 416 the method may determine the wireless serviceprovider which corresponds to the identification information (e.g., theSystem ID). In the preferred embodiment, a data structure comprisingwireless service provider information is stored in each of the accesspoints 120. In this embodiment, the respective access point with whichthe user is communicating receives the identification information anduses the identification information to obtain the appropriate orcorresponding wireless service provider to which the user of the PCD 110is subscribed. In step 418 the respective access point 120 may alsoaccess the data structure to determine the appropriate access method oraccess level for providing data or packets to the respective wirelessservice provider. For example, the respective access point 120 mayaccess the data structure to analyze the respective SID/VLAN tag todetermine the VLAN tag to use for the respective wireless serviceprovider. In one embodiment, the respective access point 120 may insteadaccess this information from a separate data structure stored in MIB150.

In an alternate embodiment, the PCD 110 of the user may provide all ofthis information to the access point 120. In this embodiment, the datastructure containing the wireless service provider data and accessinformation may not be required to be stored in the access points 120 oron the network. Alternatively, data may be stored on the network 130,e.g., in the access points 120 or in the MIB 150, which is used only tovalidate this information received from the user.

As discussed above, the data structure is preferably a table comprisinga plurality of three-tuples wherein each tuple stores a set ofidentification information, the corresponding wireless service providerassociated with that identification information, and access informationassociated with that wireless service provider and/or the user. Anexample of this data structure is shown in FIG. 5. The data structureshown in FIG. 5 includes five different sets of three-tuples. It isnoted that the data structure may take any of various forms.

The access information may include an access method, possibly includinga destination address, or other method by which data packets are routedto/from the respective site of the wireless service provider, or othermethod which directs that network access be provided by that wirelessservice provider. The access information may also include a SID/wiredtransport mechanism mapping, such as a SID/VLAN tag mapping. The accessinformation may also include an access level or privilege level thatindicates which network resources that the user may access, e.g.,whether the user is only allowed access to resources on the localnetwork 130, or is only or in addition allowed external access, such asInternet access.

Thus, when the access point 120 receives the identification information,the access point may simply use the identification information to indexinto a table containing this information to determine the appropriatewireless service provider and the respective access method and/or accesslevel.

It is noted that each of steps 412, 416 and 418, and 422 may beperformed as one action or a series of related actions. In other words,when the access point 120 receives the identification information, ifthe identification information does not index into any of the entries inthe data structure or table, then the identification information orSystem ID is determined to be unknown or not associated with arespective wireless service provider as determined in step 412. In thiscase, the default provider and default access level may be selected asperformed in step 422. If the identification information does indexproperly into an entry of the table, but the corresponding wirelessservice provider does not have the necessary equipment to accommodatethe user, then this may also be treated as unknown identificationinformation, where another provider or the default provider may beselected as performed in step 422.

If the identification information properly indexes into the table, thenin steps 416 and 418 information from the respective entry of the tableis accessed and used to determine a corresponding wireless serviceprovider which can accommodate the user's network access, as well as theassociated method and access level for providing network access usingthe wireless service provider.

After the wireless service provider and associated access method/levelhave been determined in each of steps 416 and 418, then in step 432network access or network services may be provided to the portablecomputing device 110 through the determined wireless service provider.For example, in step 432 the access point 120 with which the user iscommunicating may operate to provide data to/from a destinationspecified by the determined wireless service provider using the methodspecified by the determined wireless service provider, e.g., the methodcomprised in the table or data structure. In one embodiment, the accesspoint 120 may operate simply as a bridge or router which operates toforward or route packets to the appropriate destination, e.g., to thewireless service provider's network device 160 or to the provider'ssite. As noted above, the wireless service provider may provide anetwork device 160 such as a router, which operates to route packets tothe provider's site or otherwise simply allow Internet access to theuser. Thus in step 432 the method allows the personal computing deviceof the user access to the network using the user's provider.

In another embodiment, the access point 120 itself operates as a routerto route packets to the determined wireless service provider's site,which may be located on the Internet. Thus, in this embodiment, thewireless service provider may not be required to provide any type ofnetwork device 160 to enable network access for its respectivesubscribers. Rather, data packets from the PCD 110 of the user may berouted to the wireless service provider's site on the Internet, whichmay be located in any location.

In step 432 data is communicated between the PCD 110 and the respectivedestination specified by the wireless service provider preferably usinga secured technique. Examples of possible secured techniques includeLayer 2 forwarding; various tunneling protocols such as PPTP, IPSEC,GRE, and IP-in-IP; and tagged VLANs (IEEE 802.1q), among others.

In one embodiment, in step 432 the access point 120 operates to directPCDs 110 to an available communication channel, e.g., an available RFchannel or other wireless channel, possibly based on informationreceived from the PCD 110. Thus the access point 120, not the PCD 110,may assign channels for communication. For example, the access point 120may operate to direct a PCD 110 to an available communication channel(e.g., an RF channel) based on the identification information, e.g., theSID, received from the PCD 110. The access point 120 may also operate todirect the PCD 110 to an available communication channel based on othertypes of identification or authentication information, or on thedetermined access level of the PCD. This allows an access point 120 toseparate the communication traffic onto different channels based on thewireless service provider being used, or based on the access orprivilege level of the PCD 110. For example, the access point 120 mayassign a PCD 110 a communication channel based on whether the PCD 110has access to private portions of the network.

In step 434 the selected wireless service provider may record chargesfor the network access. In one embodiment, each of the wireless serviceprovider's respective devices 160 may maintain separate charge/billinginformation for each of their respective subscribers. Thus, the networkdevice 160 of the selected wireless service provider may record chargesfor the network access of the user. Alternatively, a computer systemcoupled to the network 130, such as the MIB 150, or another computersystem, may receive information from the wireless access point 120 as tothe determined wireless service provider, and the computer system maymaintain billing/charging information for each of a subset or all of thewireless service providers. In one embodiment, billing information forthe user may be stored on the PCD 110 and may be provided to the AP 120.

As noted above, network charging information may also be based on knowngeographic information, as well as, for example, sponsorship ordemographic information of the user, which may be provided to the accesspoint in a digital certificate.

As noted above, the data structure or table containing wireless serviceprovider information may be stored in each of the access points 120.Alternatively, the data structure may be stored in a separate computersystem, such as the MIB 150. In this latter instance, each of the accesspoints 120 may operate to forward the identification information to theMIB or other computer system 150, and this computer system may performsteps 412, 416 and 418 of determining the appropriate wireless serviceprovider and corresponding access method, or selecting the defaultprovider. Once the wireless service provider and access method have beendetermined in this embodiment, this information may be forwarded to therespective access point 120 for proper routing, or the respective accesspoint 120 may forward data received from the PCD 110 of the user to theMIB 150 or an associated router for proper routing to the respectivewireless service provider's device 160 or to the appropriate site on theInternet.

Thus, in step 432 the PCD 110 of the user is allowed to obtain networkaccess through his previously chosen wireless service provider, i.e.,through the wireless service provider to which the user has previouslysubscribed. As noted above, the wireless service provider, may operateto maintain billing/charging information through its equipment 160, atits site, or through a shared resource such as MIB 150. As also notedabove, the billing information may be stored on the PCD 110 of the user,e.g., in the user's digital certificate. In this case, if the AP 120answers the query of the PCD 110 and allows access after confirming theidentification information, the system allows for roaming and billing.This effectively allows users to roam on various networkinfrastructures, e.g., allows a user who is a subscriber of wirelessservice provider A to roam on a network infrastructure operated andmaintained by wireless service provider B. Alternatively, certainportions of the network infrastructure may be built and maintained by athird party who is not a wireless service provider, and subscribers ofeach of the various wireless service providers may be able to roam ontothis network, perhaps with a small fee being paid to the manager of thenetwork infrastructure in addition to the fee normally paid to thewireless service provider for network access. Further, users who havenever previously subscribed to a wireless service provider may beallowed to communicate with an AP 120 and select a wireless serviceprovider, or be assigned the default wireless service provider, fornetwork access.

Different Access Levels

As noted above, in one embodiment, the data structure or table may storeone or more different access methods depending upon an access levelreceived within the identification information. Thus, referring back toFIG. 1, the network 130 may provide certain local network resources aswell as external Internet access which may both be available to usershaving a first access level. Users with a second, lower, access levelmay not be entitled to external access, but may be simply able to viewor utilize certain local network resources on network 130. Users mayalso be selectively allowed to make 802.11 voice calls using thenetwork, depending on access level.

For example, in an airport scenario, a non-recognized user, or a userpaying a lower fee, may have an access/privilege level that only allowshim/her access to local content such as various airport advertising,airport information such as the layout of the airport, including wherethe restrooms, restaurants, etc. are located, flight information, etc.,but does not allow the non-recognized user external access, e.g., accessto the Internet. A non-recognized user would of course also not have anyaccess to private corporate LANs maintained on this network, such as thecorporate LANs of airlines located at the airport.

If the wireless network system provides a mechanism for the user toregister or subscribe to a wireless service provider, then the user maydo so and receive Internet access through that selected provider. Asanother alternative, the network system may provide a mechanism for theuser to register or subscribe to an external wireless service provider,e.g., an external ISP, perhaps with a small referral fee paid to themaintainer of the network system.

Alternatively, the network 130 may provide various local resources aswell as external Internet access which may both be available to usershaving a first access level, and users with a second access level maynot be entitled to view or utilize these local network resources onnetwork 130, but may be simply provided some form of external access,such as external telephone access using Voice over Internet Protocol(VOIP) or possibly a pathway to the Internet.

For example, where the network 130 and one or more wireless accesspoints 120 are comprised in an airport, one or more airlines maymaintain various computing resources on the local network 130 which areusable solely by airline employees and personnel. In this embodiment,PCDs 110 of airline employees may comprise identification informationwhich indicates an access level that allows them access to the variouscomputing resources on the network 130. Thus, employees of a firstairline such as American Airlines may have first access levelinformation stored on their PCD 110 that entitles them to utilizecertain American Airline computing resources on the network 130, whereasemployees of Delta Airlines may have second, different, access levelinformation stored on their PCDs 110 which enables use of only DeltaAirlines computing resources located on the network 130, etc. Thoseusers who are not airline employees or personnel may have accessinformation stored on their PCDs 110 which only allows them externalaccess to the Internet and use of certain non-private local resources,but does not allow them to view or use any of the private computingresources on the network 130. Thus, PCDs 110 of users may store variousaccess level information comprised within the identification informationwhich selectively allows access to certain resources on the localnetwork 130. This effectively facilitates private and public portions ofthe network 130.

As another example, consider an office, such as a law firm office orbusiness which maintains one or more wireless or wired access points120. Employees of the office may have first access level information(possibly of varying degrees) stored on their PCDs 110 which grants themaccess to selected resources or all resources on this network 130.However, visitors to this office which do not have this privilege oraccess level may be detected by a wireless or wired access point and notbe allowed to view or use any of the resources on the local network 130,but rather may simply be provided a port for complimentary (or billable)external access to the Internet. Thus, a visitor or customer of thebusiness who is physically present in the office and desires Internetaccess may utilize his PCD 110 to gain access to the Internet throughthe local network of the office 130, without the visitor or customerbeing able to view any of the computing resources, file servers, etc.,of that local network 130. In addition, if the user's corporate intranetis web-based, the user may be allowed access to his own LAN computingresources remotely. This allows a business to provide customers andvisitors with Internet access through its network 130 withoutcompromising the security of the network 130.

As noted above, in one embodiment, the known geographic locationinformation may also be used to selectively provide different access orprivilege levels based on the geographic location, e.g., a user may havegreater privilege/access levels at a first geographic location than froma second different geographic location. For example, where the network130 and one or more wireless access points 120 are comprised in anairport, a user may have a greater access level and hence access to morenetwork resources from, for example, an airline club such as anAdmiral's club, and the same user may have a lesser access level andhence access to fewer network resources from an airline gate. Thus theaccess level of a user may be based at least partly on the geographiclocation of the user. This may possibly be based on various agreementsnegotiated by service providers to “reward” users who are present attheir geographic location. In a similar manner, the network charge ratemay also be based on the geographic location of the user.

Thus, in step 418, where the method determines an access method for thewireless service provider, the method may also determine one or moreaccess levels or privilege levels contained within the identificationinformation to determine whether the user should be provided withInternet access or should only have access to local resources on thenetwork. The method may also determine the known geographic location ofthe user to aid in determining the access level as described above.

In step 432 the access point 120 or MIB 150 or other device operates toprovide or route data depending upon this access level. Thus, users withthe appropriate access level may have Internet access as well as be ableto view and use resources on the network 130, while users lacking thisnecessary access level may simply be provided with certain local networkresources and not have any Internet access. Alternatively, users havinga lower access or privilege level may be provided some form of externalaccess, such as local telephone access using VoIP, 802.11 voice calls,or possibly complimentary Internet access, without being able to view oruse certain private network resources.

FIG. 6: Selective Access to a Wireless Service Provider

FIG. 6 illustrates one exemplary embodiment, where a PCD 110A of a firstuser comprises identification information including an access levelwhich indicates that the user has access only to the computing resourceson the local network 130. In this instance, once this access level hasbeen verified, such as by a lookup in the table or data structure, dataor packets from the PCD 110A may be routed to various computingresources on the local network as shown by the arrows designated “1”.For example, packets from PCD 110A may be routed to virtual access point602B which is associated with local network 130. In contrast, PCD 110Bof a second user comprises identification information which includes ahigher access level which encompasses accessing local resources onnetwork 130 as well as Internet access. In this instance, in addition tolocal network access, data or packets may also be routed from the PCD110B through the access point 120 and directly out to an external accessport for Internet access. Thus, the user who does not have theappropriate access or privilege level is able to view or use anycomputing resources on the network 130, but cannot gain Internet accessthrough the network 130. As noted above, the system can also beconfigured whereby the user who does not have the appropriate access orprivilege level is only allowed Internet access, and users with higherprivilege levels are able to view or use computing resources on thenetwork 130.

Thus, the present invention enables two or more wireless serviceproviders to utilize a common set of wireless or wired access points toprovide their respective services to a potentially overlapping set ofcustomers. This allows use of a single network infrastructure, whichminimally impacts the wireless spectrum available at a location whileallowing the maximum possible number of wireless service providers tooffer their network access services. In addition, the system and methoddescribed herein allows subscribers of a wireless service provider A tobe able to use the network access service provided by wireless serviceprovider B in a location otherwise not serviced by provider A withoutnecessarily requiring any relationship with provider B and vice versa.This allows a confederation of wireless service providers to offernetwork access to a larger footprint of locations, which offers morevalue to each of their respective subscribers.

The system may thus allow network access from multiple differentproviders. For example, one communication service may be referred to asa Wayport network (Wayport is a Registered Trademark of Wayport, Inc. ofAustin, Tex.). A Wayport network may be compatible with other types ofsimilar networks maintained by other companies. For example, if Wayportnetworks are installed in the Austin-Bergstrom International airport andsimilar ‘XYZ’ networks are installed in a hotel in downtown Austin, auser that has subscribed to Wayport networks may be able to use theservices offered at the downtown hotel by XYZ. More specifically, a userthat has registered with a Wayport network (e.g., has entereddemographic data and agreed to pay transaction costs) may not need toregister with XYZ. The user may use other wireless service providers(e.g., XYZ networks) and still only be billed from one company (e.g.,the provider of the Wayport network with which the user is registered).This may be accomplished through agreements established betweendifferent wireless service providers.

In one example, a Wayport network-registered user attempts to connect tothe XYZ network in the downtown hotel. In the embodiment describedherein, the access point 120 maintained by the XYZ network still answersor communicates with the PCD 110, even though the PCD 110 providesidentification information that is different from, and possibly not evenrecognized by, the access point 120. In this example, assume the XYZnetwork notices from the PCD ID information that the user is notregistered on the XYZ network, but is registered on the Wayport network.The XYZ network may perform a verification of the PCD ID by querying adatabase of registered PCD IDs on the Wayport network. The XYZ networkmay acquire demographic information from, or using, the credentials ofthe user. If the credentials of the user are not acceptable, access tothe XYZ network may be denied. If the credentials are acceptable, theXYZ network may grant the user access to various goods, informationand/or service providers. The XYZ network may inform the user (via amessage on the user's PCD) that there is an additional cost foraccessing the XYZ network as a non-registered user. The user may thenhave the choice of paying the additional fees for the services ordisconnecting. In addition, the user may have the option of registeringwith the XYZ network to avoid paying ‘roaming’ fees.

Wireless AP Usage of Multiple Channels

A wireless access point 120 can use one of a plurality of different RF(radio frequency) channels for communication with portable computingdevices of users. For example, a wireless access point 120 can use oneof RF channels 1 through 11. As is well known, RF channels 1, 6 and 11are non-overlapping, with the remainder of these channels beingpartially overlapping with other channels.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, each wirelessaccess point can communicate on one or more, e.g. a plurality of or allof, the available wireless channels, e.g., the available RF channels.Furthermore, each access point 120 can control which channel theportable computing device 110 of a client is able to use. In oneembodiment, each portable computing device may scan each of the RFchannels until it detects a wireless access point 120 on one of thechannels.

In one embodiment, one or more of the wireless access points may eachutilize a plurality of the RF channels, e.g., may use each of thenon-overlapping channels 1, 6 and 11 to effectively provide up to threetimes the normal channel capacity. Thus, the wireless access point 120may be able to control allocations of a plurality or all of therespective RE channels to selectively obtain higher bandwidth whenappropriate, or to simply accommodate a greater number of subscribers.Thus, if a wireless access point using only one RF channel could onlyhandle fifty PCDs 110 on that respective channel, the wireless accesspoint may operate to use all three non-overlapping RF channels toeffectively triple this capacity to a total of 150 simultaneous PCDs110.

As another example, if the wireless access point 120 is onlycommunicating with one portable computing device 110, then the wirelessaccess point 120 may optionally or selectively use each of the threenon-overlapping RF channels to produce effectively three times thebandwidth for this communication. As additional portable computerdevices engage in communication with the respective wireless accesspoint, 120, the wireless access point 120 may selectively allocatedifferent channels to different ones of these PCDs as needed. Further,if more than three PCDs are communicating with the respective wirelessaccess point, the wireless access point 120 may partition one or more ofthe respective channels for the respective users, such as by usingwireless Ethernet Collision Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection(CSMA/CD) or other multiple access schemes such as TDMA, FDMA, or CDMA,among others.

In one embodiment, as described above with respect to step 432, theaccess point 120 operates to direct PCDs 110 to an available channel,possibly based on information received from the PCD 110. Thus the accesspoint 120, not the PCD 110, may assign channels for communication. Forexample, the access point 120 may operate to direct a PCD 110 to anavailable communication channel (e.g., an RF channel) based on theidentification information, e.g., the SID, received from the PCD 110.The access point 120 may also operate to direct the PCD 110 to anavailable communication channel based on other types of identificationor authentication information, or on the determined access level of thePCD. This allows the access point 120 to separate the communicationtraffic onto different channels based on the wireless service providerbeing used, or based on the access or privilege level of the PCD 110.For example, the access point 120 may assign a PCD 110 a communicationchannel based on whether the PCD 110 has access to private portions ofthe network.

FIG. 7: Initial PCD Communication with AP

FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of initialcommunication of a user's PCD with an access point in a wirelessdistributed network system, according to one embodiment of theinvention. Here it is presumed that a user having a PCD comes withinproximity of an AP and begins wireless communication with the AP. Asshown in step 702 the AP detects the PCD. Here it is noted that severaldifferent mechanisms may be used to initiate communication between an APand a PCD. In one implementation, the PCD may transmit a “probe” signalto the AP containing an SID, e.g., an ESSID as specified in IEEE 802.11,indicating a particular WSP. Here it is presumed that the PCD stores theSID, e.g., the ESSID, corresponding to a pre-selected WSP to which theuser of the PCD has previously subscribed. The AP may then respond tothe probe by transmitting connection information corresponding to thisESSID. In this implementation, the PCD simply transmits the ESSID to theAP to indicate to the AP the selected WSP of the PCD. In a secondimplementation, the AP may “beacon” or provide continuously a list ofESSIDs corresponding to all of the WSPs that are supported by that AP.As noted above, each supported WSP has a corresponding ESSID and alsohas a corresponding virtual AP, i.e., virtual AP software comprised onthe physical AP that implements or presents a virtual AP that is usedfor that WSP. In this implementation, the AP continuously broadcasts orbeacons the list of possible ESSIDs. The PCD receives this beacon,analyzes the possible ESSIDs, and selects an ESSID to provide back tothe AP. For example, if the PCD has previously registered with orsubscribed to a chosen WSP, and the PCD detects that the ESSID of thispreviously selected WSP is included in the beacon, then the PCDtypically will select the WSP and transmit the ESSID corresponding tothe previously selected WSP. If the PCD has previously subscribed with aWSP that is not present in the list of beaconed ESSIDs that are beaconedby the AP, then the PCD may use some secondary choice or algorithm toselect a WSP that is supported by this AP, even though the PCD may nothave previously subscribed with or have a relationship with this WSP.For example, the PCD may simply select a default WSP from the list ofavailable WSPs if the preferred WSP is not supported by that AP.Alternatively, the PCD may analyze signal strength or may utilizebilling/charging information in evaluating which WSP to select based onthe list of available WSPs as indicated by the list of ESSIDstransmitted by the AP.

In step 704 the PCD then transmits the ESSID to the AP in a data packet.As noted above, the transmitted ESSID may be the ESSID that is stored onthe PCD which corresponds to the WSP previously selected by the PCD,i.e., to which the PCD has previously subscribed. Alternatively, the PCDmay transmit an ESSID that is selected from a list of possible ESSIDsbeaconed by the AP.

In step 706 the software executing on the AP (or device coupled to theAP) operates to extract user ID information from the packet receivedfrom the PCD. In one embodiment, the user identification information maycomprise a MAC ID of the network interface card (NIC) comprised on thePCD. Alternatively, the user ID information may comprise any otherinformation that is suitable for particularly identifying either theuser or the PCD of the user. The user ID information is preferablycomprised in each packet transmitted by the PCD to enable each packet tobe properly routed to a corresponding virtual AP and wired transportmechanism as discussed below.

In step 708 the software executing on the AP stores the user IDinformation, e.g., the MAC ID, into a table corresponding to the ESSIDtransmitted by the PCD in step 704. Thus, in step 708 the user IDinformation is associated with the ESSID and hence with the selectedWSP. As discussed further below, this table can later be accessed onreceipt of subsequent packets to associate the user ID informationcontained in received packets with the corresponding ESSID and hencewith the chosen WSP and corresponding wired transport mechanism, e.g.,VLAN tag.

In step 710 the AP determines the wired transport mechanism, e.g., theVLAN tag based on the ESSID.

Finally, in step 712 the virtual AP software corresponding to thedetermined ESSID executes and operates to transmit the packet into thewired network (VLAN) using the wired transport mechanism, e.g., usingthe VLAN tag that corresponds to the ESSID.

FIG. 8: PCD Communication with AP

FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation of PCDcommunication with an AP after an association event has occurred, i.e.,after the method described in FIG. 7 has been executed to create anentry in the table of the AP associating the user ID information of thePCD with a corresponding ESSID and hence with a selected WSP.

As shown, in step 802 the AP receives a packet from the PCD. Each packetprovided from the PCD comprises or includes user ID information whichidentifies the source or the PCD from which the packet originates.

In step 804 the AP determines the user ID information comprised withinthe packet. In one embodiment, the user ID information is a MAC ID asdiscussed above. However, the user ID information may comprise othertypes of identification, such as an IP address as specified in the BlueTooth wireless communication standard.

In step 806 the AP accesses the table comprised within the AP todetermine the corresponding ESSID and wired transport mechanism based onthe user ID information. In other words, when the association eventoccurs initially between the PCD and the AP, the table entry is createdas described above in step 708; this table is then accessed on receiptof subsequent packets transmitted by the PCD to determine the ESSID andwired transport mechanism, e.g., VLAN tag, based on the user IDinformation. Thus, the table association created in step 708 is accessedin step 806 for each subsequent packet.

In step 808 the virtual AP software corresponding to the determinedESSID transmits the packet received from the PCD onto the wired networkusing the determined wired transport mechanism. For example, the virtualAP may transmit the packet onto a LAN using the VLAN tag determined instep 806.

FIG. 9: Packets Arriving from Wired Medium to the AP Destined for a PCD

FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram illustrating operation when incomingpackets arrive at the AP from the wired medium which are destined forone of the PCDs in communication with the AP.

As shown, in step 902 the AP receives a packet from the wired mediumthat is intended for one or more PCDs that are in communication with theAP.

In step 904 the AP operates to parse the packet to determine the VLANtag associated with the arriving packet, i.e., or comprised within thearriving packet, and also to determine the destination user IDinformation contained within the incoming packet. Incoming packetsreceived from the wired medium may include user ID informationcorresponding to the destination PCD. For example, in IEEE 802.11wireless Ethernet, the incoming packet may include a MAC IDcorresponding to the destination network interface card (NIC) of thePCD. This user ID information is extracted or obtained from the packetin step 904.

In step 906 the AP may optionally ensure that the arriving packetarrived on a VLAN corresponding to the VLAN tag determined in step 904as a security mechanism. In general, the incoming packet should arriveon the VLAN corresponding to the VLAN tag contained or comprised withinthe packet. If this is determined to not be the case in step 906, thanthe packet may be a spurious packet or present a security issue, and thepacket may simply be dropped.

In step 908 the AP software accesses its table(s) to determine thevirtual AP associated with the user ID information obtained in step 904.Thus, in step 908 the user ID information may be used in conjunctionwith the table to determine the virtual AP corresponding to the user IDinformation. As noted above, there is preferably a 1 to 1 correspondencebetween an ESSID, a corresponding wireless service provider, and acorresponding virtual AP.

In step 910 the virtual AP software executes on the physical AP towirelessly transmit the packet received from the wired medium to the PCDas a wireless transmission.

Therefore, FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 disclose one embodiment of a system andmethod operating in a distributed wireless network system based on IEEE802.11 wireless Ethernet which operates to allow multiple wirelessservice providers to use a common network infrastructure. Additionally,the system and method described above with reference to FIGS. 1-9 allowsa plurality of service providers to utilize a common set of accesspoints to provide service to a potentially overlapping set of customers,thus providing subscribers or users with the ability to more fullyutilize the existing network infrastructure. The system and methodfurther provide a distributed wireless network system which canselectively provide different access levels to users of the system.

While the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it will be understood that the embodiments arcillustrative and that the invention scope is not so limited. Anyvariations, modifications, additions, and improvements to theembodiments described are possible. These variations, modifications,additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventionsas detailed within the following claims.

1. A method for providing access to a distributed wireless networksystem, the method comprising: a first wireless access point in adistributed wireless network system receiving identification informationfrom a portable computing device; wherein the distributed wirelessnetwork system includes a plurality of wireless access points coupled toa network, and wherein the first wireless access point is coupled to thenetwork and communicate with one or more portable computing devices in awireless fashion; wherein said identification information includes aname associated with a selected network service provider; determining ifsaid selected network service provider is one of a plurality of networkservice providers supported by said access point; if said selectednetwork service provider is one of the plurality of said network serviceproviders supported by said access point, determining an access levelbased on payment information and providing network access from saidselected network service provider based on the determined access level,wherein the access level indicates access to one or more networkservices including external network access or internal network access;if said selected network service provider is not one of the plurality ofsaid network service providers supported by said access point,automatically selecting one of said network service providers supportedby said access point; and obtaining payment information and providingnetwork access from said selected network service provider based on anaccess level corresponding to the payment information.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the identification information includes an IEEE 802.11system identification (SID).
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theidentification information includes a media access control (MAC)identification.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identificationinformation includes a digital certificate.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the payment information comprises credit card information. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising recording charges for thenetwork access provided to the portable computing device.
 7. A wirelessaccess point comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory memory mediumcoupled to the processor; wherein the wireless access point is coupledto a network and communicate with one or more portable computing devicesin a wireless fashion; wherein the memory medium stores a datastructure, wherein the data structure comprises a list of identificationinformation and a corresponding list of supported network serviceproviders, each supported network service provider having a plurality ofaccess levels, wherein each of the access levels indicates access to oneor more network services including external network access or internalnetwork access provided by each of said supported network serviceproviders; wherein the memory medium comprises program instructionswhich are executable by the processor to: receive identificationinformation from a portable computing device of the one or more portablecomputing devices, wherein the identification information includes aname associated with a selected network service provider; determine ifsaid selected network service provider is contained in said list ofsupported network service providers; if said selected network serviceprovider is contained in said list of supported network serviceproviders, then determining an access level, wherein, in saiddetermining the access level, the program instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor to index into the data structure using theidentification information to determine the access level stored in thedata structure corresponding to the identification information; andprovide network access to the portable computing device at thedetermined access level from said selected network service provider; ifsaid selected network service provider is not contained in said list ofsupported network service providers, automatically selecting one of saidnetwork service providers supported by said access point; and obtainingpayment information and providing network access from said selectednetwork service provider based on an access level corresponding to thepayment information.
 8. The wireless access point of claim 7, whereinthe identification information includes an IEEE 802.11 systemidentification.
 9. The wireless access point of claim 7, wherein theidentification information includes a media access control (MAC)identification.
 10. The wireless access point of claim 7, wherein theidentification information includes a digital certificate.
 11. A methodfor providing access to a distributed wireless network system, themethod comprising: a first wireless access point in a distributedwireless network system receiving identification information from aportable computing device, wherein the identification information isassociated with service subscription information subscribing saidportable computing device to a selected network service provider, andwherein the distributed wireless network system includes a plurality ofwireless access points coupled to a network; determining whether saidselected network service provider is one of a plurality of networkservice providers supported by said wireless access point; if saidselected network service provider is one of the plurality of networkservice providers supported by said wireless access point, determiningan access level for the portable computing device after receiving theidentification information, wherein the determined access level isdependent on the service subscription information associated with theidentification information of the portable computing device, and whereinthe determined access level indicates access to one or more networkservices including external network access or internal network access;if said selected network service provider is not one of the plurality ofsaid network service providers supported by said access point,automatically selecting one of said network service providers supportedby said access point; and providing network access from said selectednetwork service provider to the portable computing device based on thedetermined access level.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprisingif the identification information is not associated with servicesubscription information, then registering a user associated with thepersonal computing device to create service subscription information andproviding network access based on an access level corresponding to theservice subscription information.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinregistering the user comprises obtaining payment information from theuser.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the payment informationcomprises credit card information.
 15. The method of claim 11, whereinthe identification information includes an IEEE 802.11 systemidentification (SID).
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein theidentification information includes a media access control (MAC)identification.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising recordingcharges for the network access provided to the portable computingdevice.